The Mystery of the Rogues' Reunion - Marc Brandel [44]
“Bloodhound is going to finish college and then go on to law school. He wants to help young actors and actresses fight for their rights against movie studios and television networks that try to exploit them.”
“A worthwhile endeavour,” commented Mr. Sebastian.
He glanced towards the kitchen, where the Three Investigators could hear Sebastian’s Vietnamese houseman, Hoang Van Don, rattling his pots and pans.
“And Gordon Harker?” Mr. Sebastian asked. “Are you keeping his secret?’
“Of course we are,” Pete assured him. “We’ve never told anyone about him being Flapjack in those old Wee Rogues comedies — except you, that is. He’ll be totally safe when he goes back to teaching in September.”
“Speaking of school” — Mr. Sebastian glanced towards the kitchen again — “Don’s been going to school too, lately.”
“He has?” Bob asked. “What’s he studying?”
“Cordon bleu cooking,” Mr. Sebastian explained. “Like a French chef. He’s given up all his health food ideas now.” He sighed. “It’s all complicated sauces and fancy cuisine these days. I must say it’s an improvement on seaweed. But it’s a little rich for my stomach.”
He paused and leaned forward in his beach chair. “I do hope you’ll be staying for lunch,” he said. “Especially you, Jupe.”
Bob and Jupe looked at each other sceptically. They could remember only too well that Don had recently used them as guinea pigs for another exotic French treat —snails. But all three Investigators dutifully said they would be delighted to stay for lunch and try Don’s French cooking.
“But why especially me?” Jupe asked.
“Because Don wants a favour from you,” Mr. Sebastian said. “And in return he’s agreed to cook you anything you want for our lunch. Absolutely anything,” he added wistfully.
The First Investigator caught the note of wistfulness — it was almost eagerness — in the mystery writer’s voice.
“Why don’t you decide, Mr. Sebastian?” he suggested helpfully. “Why don’t we have something you want?”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Mr. Sebastian reached for the cane beside his chair and
pushed himself to his feet. “Because I must admit I’ve got a sort of craving for a nice plain hamburger. Maybe with a thin slice of raw onion on it. But no sauces. Not even ketchup, just plain ground beef.”
The three boys agreed that plain hamburger would be fine.
‘But what’s the favour Don wants from me?” Jupe asked.
“That’s his secret, I’m afraid,” Sebastian told him. “But I’m sure it isn’t anything to worry about.” He turned, leaning on his cane. “I’ll just go and tell Don then. Plain hamburger. And in return you promise to do him the favour, Jupe. Whatever it is.”
The Three Investigators watched Mr. Sebastian limp across the huge room and around the tall bookcase dividing the living area from the study, on his way to the kitchen.
Sebastian’s house in Malibu had once been a restaurant called Charlie’s Place, which explained why there was so much open space in it. The writer was gradually converting it into what he called a stately home. He had made some progress since their last visit, Jupe saw. Besides the beach chair he had also added a comfortable-looking couch to the still rather sparse furnishings.
When Sebastian came back, he was smiling eagerly. “Plain hamburger it is,” he announced, settling comfortably back into the beach chair. “Don wanted to serve it with a bear-naise sauce, but I told him you like it with no trimmings.’’
He was silent for a moment, resting his leg. “I’ve been thinking about your latest case,” he said after a moment. “There’s only one thing about it that puzzles me.”
“Yes?” Jupe asked. “What is it?”
“What made you first suspect Lomax? How did you guess it was the director, rather than Milton Glass or one of the Rogues, who had coached the impostor Bonehead with all the information he would need to pass himself off as the real Bonehead?”